Being Alone...and Being Safe

There are so many products out there today "keeping us safe", at home and away.

Medical alerts come in all sizes and functionalities.  Some alerts include operators who phone friends or relatives with the press of a button. Other models, call 911.  Some include GPS locators, and even motion sensors:  Some allow 2-way conversations. Some charge monthly fees plus a  unit charge. They are waterproof and can be worn around the neck or on a wrist. The Monthly costs vary as much as the units' abilities, anywhere from 29.95 to 59.95 per month, and more.

Personal panic alarms.  They alert anyone nearby to an existing emergency situation with alarms from 90dB-120dB and more.  They usually come in a keychain style, some with flashlights and all with batteries required. Some are designed to be clicked, while others are squeezed. Unit costs: around 10.00. No monthly fee. Great in an urban setting. But, if no one is around to hear the loud siren, you are out of luck.

Personal Emergency Response units. Some of these units offer more features than others. Some have unit charges and no monthly fee,  but they all depend on your smartphone and an app. Great for seniors, keeping track of kids, accidents, etc

I recently tested one brand from Wearsafe Labs. The product features I didn't like? A few. The features I liked? Several:  First, the cost.  Really minimal for all the features it offers--$5.00 monthly!  And no product charge. I don't know about you but I hate getting locked into a monthly fee that ends up costing several hundred dollars a year.

How it works:
First, open the back of the tag using the bottom of the clip-on holder. It acts like a screwdriver in the vertical impression on the back so you can turn it to open the tag. Inside is the battery and a 4-digit code which you will need to register and sync with the WearSafe app.

tjere's Next, upload the app, Wearsafe.com  activate, invite at least 6 people to your network.

Unit Size and flexibility:  About 1 1/2 inches high, 1 inch wide and extremely lightweight. Comes with 2 connectors-- a keyring or lavalier link, plus a clip-on holder.  Both slide into the top of the Wearsafe tag.

Your network gets your alert.

In trouble: 1. Press the button on the top of the tag,  2.  Say what's wrong. Then WearSafe goes to work: they text and call your network. If all of them respond,WearSafe has a chat feature that lets them decide who can help the quickest                       There's even a real-time Google map with your location. And your recorded voice lets your network know the issue. What's more, you know that help is coming when your tag vibrates..


On a scale of 1 to 10:  Wearsafe Labs gets an 8.75 

What I didn't like:  The lavalier link and the clip-on holder were very difficult to insert -- I broke a nail. Took many insertions and removals to get them sliding easier.  Also, the "screwdriver" effect of the clip-on holder was difficult to work-- again, practice makes perfect, etc. Or maybe just putting them under warm running water will do the trick.

Check out their site for a 30-day FREE TRIAL.: Wearsafe.com.
for more information, and more of my reviews, go to YBLTV.com .

Bundaberg Ginger Beer. True beer? Or soda?

British soldiers introduced the fermented drink to the US in the 19th Century.

My only contact with ginger has been limited to a pickled version served with Sushi, which I love. When I first heard about Ginger Beer, I shook my head.  Is it a beer or a soda?. Does it have the same refreshing taste of my Sushi ginger? I did some research.

Ginger was used medicinally as early at 500 BC; the Chinese and Indian cultures learned to flavor food with it;  eventually, others used it to spice up beverages. And,  in the 18th century, the brewing of Ginger beer originated in England.

Today,  both alcoholic and non-alcoholic ginger beers are available. The first version is brewed,  while the non-alcoholic one is most often manufactured as a carbonated drink. A few are actually brewed. Bundaberg Ginger Beer from Australia,  is one of them. According to the company, their craft brews are not a factory mix made in an hour. They are brewed up to 7 days, and that makes a difference in the flavor.

Bundaberg Ginger Beer has a full-bodied taste, with just enough sweetness. And, like all their brewed drinks it contains only 0.5% alcohol, the legal level in a soft drink.

Check out Bundaberg.com to see all the flavors, plus great ideas for mixing them up into cocktails and mocktails. To find out where to buy Bundaberg Ginger Beer and all their brews, click the product locator on their site and pop in your zip code.

On a scale of 1-10, I give Bundaberg Ginger Beer, a 10!

Bottoms Up!

Can anything beat a Bloody Mary?

Yep. Spicing it up with Fast Mary’s!

Forget the mixes.  Start with the original core:  2 oz of your fave Vodka and tomato/Clamato/or V-8 juice. Then add  1-2 oz of Fast Mary’s to taste. The result?  WOW!  Spicey! Sassy! This is what a true Bloody Mary should taste like.

Fast Mary’s takes all the work out of making a perfect Bloody Mary. Wendi Winkler created this masterpiece in 2 taste concoctions:  MILD, a tongue-smacking blend for all you Midwesterners out there;  and HOT, for all those folks who like fire in their belly, this is the original blend but with horseradish, mustard seed and hot peppers.  Be still my heart!

And that’s not all, folks.  Splash your favorite Fast Mary’s blend into a 16 oz. pilsner/ light beer, and discover a beefed-up beer taste.Try marinating veggies, like steamed green beans, overnight with Fast Mary’s. Spice up scrambled eggs with it.  And, let Fast Mary’s make your bar-b-que sauce a game- changer.

Where do you these bottled flavor enhancers?  Order from Urban Chemist LLC on Amazon.com 

On a scale of 1-10, Mild Fast Mary's get a 10. (Hot Fast Mary's gets an 11, from me!)

Cheers!